"That we have bestowed vast powers on the central government doesn't help"

The power to declare that the law is what the Executive Branch says it is? Thus, as long as the Executive follows the White House counsels 'findings', it breaks no law?

The Power to subvert the oversight process by establishing 'alternative' intelligence organs, whose intelligence is then fed to congress and certified as 'good'?

The power to ignore congressional subpoenas?

The power to wiretap telecommunications at will and without warrant, often outside the bounds of the established law, wth impunity?

The power to torture and defy the conventions of war that our country is a signatory party to?

Tell me more of of these vast powers, I am most intrigued!